Calipari eyeing extension, not raise

Coach John Calipari made it clear Wednesday that he loves Kentucky and is interested in a long-term contract extension, but that he's not in search of a raise.

"I said I didn't want the compensation to change," Calipari said, relaying his conversation with UK Athletics Director Mitch Barnhart, in an audio tweet on Lexy.com. "I'm doing fine."

In the audio tweet recorded around noon, Calipari said that Barnhart approached him about 10 days ago saying, "Cal, I want to extend your contract. I want you to be here until you retire," according to Calipari.

Barnhart could not be reached for comment about the discussion.

In a statement released through UK on Tuesday night, Barnhart did express interest in retaining Calipari for an extended period.

"We have begun initial discussions on restructuring his contract so that he's the coach at Kentucky until he retires," the statement said.

The current contract runs through March 30, 2017. Calipari will be 58 when that contract runs out.

The coach said in the tweet that he likes the idea of an extension and thinks it will be good for the program.

"If there's anything you want to do to make this a better program for our players, our staff and maybe make it a little bit easier, I'm all for it," Calipari said. "I want to hear about it. Let's figure that stuff out."

Calipari urged fans to "calm down" and "take a breath" in his tweet.

"People can say whatever and rumors and ... but let me just tell you I am happy to be the coach at Kentucky. I love it. I'm having a ball," he said. "But let me tell you, it's a hard job. Hard. The hardest job I've ever had, but I love it.

"I'm loving Kentucky."

Calipari to toss first pitch

Calipari will throw out the first pitch for the Kentucky baseball team on Friday night when the Cats face No. 4 South Carolina at 7 p.m.

Barnhart on Twitter

UK Athletics Director Mitch Barnhart has created his own Twitter account, through which fans can receive instant updates on their computers or mobile phones.